Buffalo Zoo

Zoological Society of Buffalo will partner with First Hand Learning, Inc., to develop and pilot an after-school program for disadvantaged youth in the Buffalo Public Schools. The program, Mentoring Young Scientists, will pair middle school students with adult mentors (faculty of the Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School, located on the zoo grounds) to study animal behavior, animal health care, and wildlife conservation. Students will pursue investigations of their own choice for a full academic year under the guidance of a mentor who will meet with them once a week. The study will culminate in a presentation of their work at the annual Science Inquiry Conference in the spring. During the second year of the project, the partners will collaborate with Oregon Coast Aquarium to pilot test the program in a second underserved location. The goal of the program is to engage young people in first-hand scientific inquiries. The anticipated results will be a nationally available, proven, easily adaptable program that delivers measurable results in science achievement and school performance at a minimum cost.